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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The Deh Cho is a long way from the U.S. and he wasn't elected as our country's leader, but that didn't stop some Fort Simpson residents from celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama.

"Obama fever" had many people in its grips as they watched the televised coverage of the inauguration on Jan. 20.

From left, Lorayne Menicoche-Moses, Ria Letcher, Elizabeth Hardisty and Bernice Gargan show their Barack Obama spirit on Jan. 20 while celebrating his inauguration. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The ceremony consumed most of Elizabeth Hardisty's day. Hardisty pulled out a small American flag she had at her house and waved it while watching six hours' worth of inauguration coverage.

"I just felt freedom. I felt like laughing," said Hardisty.

She said the best part of the day was watching Obama and his wife Michelle walking and waving to the gathered crowds. Hardisty said although African-Americans were treated worse, she sees a similarity between their historical treatment in the U.S. and that of aboriginal people in Canada. Seeing the change from African-Americans as slaves to having Obama hold the highest office in the country is very freeing, she said.

"It just gives you hope," she said.

The inauguration is a landmark moment, said Ashley Menicoche.

"It was history. I witnessed history," she said.

Menicoche, who watched most of the proceedings, said it was a very emotional event.

"I cried when I saw the president and Bush walk out of the building together," said Menicoche.

Despite being the president of another country, Obama has still struck a chord with many village residents.

"He's so inspiring and puts out high ideals for people to reach," said Lorayne Menicoche-Moses.

Listening to Obama makes you want to step up to the plate, Menicoche-Moses said.

"I'm just impressed with the way he talks," said Bernice Gargan. "He mesmerizes me with the way he speaks."

Obama will make a difference in the U.S., said Gargan. Both Gargan and Ria Letcher said they'll be watching his term in office to see if he fulfills his campaign promises.

"I'm excited to see some of the things he's going to do over his term," said Letcher.

To mark his inauguration, Letcher wore an Obama T-shirt on Tuesday, which her mother-in-law gave her as a gift from Chicago.

"I had total Obama fever," Letcher said.

Obama has had a strong influence on the U.S. population and has struck a chord with everyone of all races, she said, adding people haven't been this passionate about a leader since John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1960s.

"It gives minorities hope - especially aboriginal people," said Letcher.